the Price of Roadside Assistance Programs

I paid $40 for a year-long membership to the California branch of a national automobile roadside assistance "club" (I think they call it a club, although I'm not sure why).

I can get at least one free tow during the year, although the distance is limited, and at least one assist when I need gas, when I've locked my keys in my car, when I have a flat tire, or when my battery's dead. I think that might be unlimited (or at least unlimited within reason) because I can remember years when I have needed help with all of those things in the same year. Sometimes twice (keys).

The best part is that even if I'm just in the car as a passenger, we can receive these services.

They have always been pretty quick, and came more quickly if I told them that I wasn't in a safe area (either not a safe neighborhood or the car stalled in the middle of the road).

I love the fact that I can receive services even when I'm just a passenger. This has come in handy a couple of times - when my boyfriend locked his keys in his car, and when a friend had an accident and needed towing. Neither of them had any roadside assistance, and I don't know what we would have done without my membership.

Do it. Better safe than sorry, especially if something happens in the middle of nowhere late at night.